Banner reads Invited to an assessment centre?

You’ve received an invitation to an assessment centre. Give yourself a pat on the back as you have already shown them you have the potential they are looking for in new recruits. This is another chance for you to demonstrate your suitability and knowing what to expect will help you shine.

 

Why are they used?

  • It is a way of finding candidates suitable for a role against the job competencies
  • They know you have potential and now they want to see how you operate when faced with different work scenarios
  • Employers can assess lots of candidates at the same time

What are the recruiters looking for?

  • The recruiters will be looking for skills such as adaptability, leadership, problem-solving, communication, negotiation, teamwork and commercial awareness
  • They are looking for people who want to to work for their company, have similar values and will get on well with colleagues 
  • They will be looking at your performance over the day so you can compensate for not doing well on one task by excelling at another

Who will succeed? 

  • You could all be successful, a few of you, one or two, or none at all

  • Stay focused on your own performance, rather than competing against other candidates, after all these people may end up being colleagues

  • Assessors score your performance against competency frameworks to ensure the process is fair
  • Someone who uses the day to create opportunities for themselves, network and keep in-touch. If this isn’t your day there may still be future opportunities

What is the format?

  • You’ll be asked to complete a combination of tasks and activities that test your suitability for a job. 
  • They may happen in-person or online
  • You will attend with a group of other candidates typically between five to ten candidates

A typical assessment day schedule

Let employers know about any additional needs you may have. Time and activity adjustments can be arranged to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to show their potential.

9am Introduction and meet the team

9.15am Employer presentation and group icebreaker exercise

10am Psychometric tests

11.30am Individual task such as an in-tray exercise

12.45pm Lunch and chatting with the team

1.15pm Group exercise such as a case study

2.15pm Individual interviews

3.45pm Individual presentations

4.45pm Evaluation

5pm Finish

 
 
Man presenting to a group

Receiving an invite for an assessment centre was a bitter-sweet experience as I was nervous just as much as I was excited to see the Warner Bros. Discovery office in Central London!

But I was really glad to come out of it smiling as they made it a really comfortable experience for me. 

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